Boss Audio Systems RC50 Loop Quantize and the Guide, Short Phrases and the Minimum Recording Time

When the phrase is closed with the REC/PLAY/OVERDUB pedal, Loop Quantize adjusts the phrase ending to the nearest adjustment point at the time the pedal is pressed (in our example, any second beat of one of the reference’s measures).

Short Phrases and the Minimum Recording Time

Before we move on, let’s take a moment to discuss the RC-50’s minimum recording time, as it might come into play if you attempt to record very short phrases.

The minimum phrase recording time is 1.5 seconds. This means that whenever you record a phrase, the RC-50 makes sure that it’s at least 1.5 seconds in length, even if you close the phrase before this amount of time has elapsed.

Here’s what happens when you attempt to record a phrase shorter than the minimum recording time when Loop Quantize is enabled: If you close the phrase anytime before 1.5 seconds elapses, the RC-50 extends its ending to the first Loop Quantize adjustment point that will create a 1.5 second or longer phrase. Usually, this means that the phrase will be one measure in length; however, if the reference’s measures are very short, this could result in a phrase that’s two—or even three—measures long.

Most of the time, you’ll be creating phrases that are longer than 1.5 seconds, so the minimum recording time won’t be an issue. However, if your musical material falls short of this time, we recommend repeating it two or more times before closing the phrase to get past the minimum time.

Loop Quantize and the Guide

The most obvious use for Loop Quantize is when you’re playing with the guide, as you usually want to keep your phrases in sync with the guide sound.

As discussed earlier in the booklet, the patch tempo determines the speed of the guide. Therefore, it also determines the length of the guide’s measures.

To create an example recording using Loop Quantize, let’s say that all phrases are empty and:

•the RC-50’s in Single mode.

•the guide’s on.

•the time signature’s set to 4/4.

•all phrases are set for looped playback (their One Shot parameters are set to LOOP).

Reference

Rec start

Phrase

1.5 seconds

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

Loop Quantize

adjustment point

RecordingPlayback

To learn how to set a phrase’s One Shot parameter, see the RC-50 Workshop booklet Patches or Page 52 in the RC-50 Owner’s Manual.

� Select Phrase 1 for recording by pressing its PHRASE

SELECT pedal. Since the guide’s on, the LOOP QUANTIZE indicator lights.

� Start recording by pressing the REC/PLAY/OVERDUB pedal. This action also starts the guide sound, so recording begins on the guide’s downbeat. (This makes the downbeat the Loop Quantize adjustment

Press REC/PLAY/OVERDUB anywhere within this range to close the phrase

Closing a phrase under the minimum recording time.

point.)

If the Guide:Rec Count parameter is set to 1 MEAS, a one-measure count-in will play before recording begins.